Ash-sifter.



No. 630,943. Patented Aug. I5, 1899.

F. SPAWN.

ASH SIFTER.

(Application filed Dec. 31, 1898.) (No Model.)

\Hiigesses W J W d hforgcys UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

FREDERICK SPAXVN, OF NElVBURG, NE\V YORK.

ASH-SIFTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 630,943, dated August 15, 1899.

Application filed December 31, 1898- Serial No. 700,791. (No model.)

To aZZ- whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK SPAWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newburg,'in the county of Orange and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Ash-Sifter, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in ash-sitters.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of ash-sitters and to provide a simple, inexpensive, and durable one adapted to operate on a barrel, can, box, or analogous receptacle and capable of enabling ashes to be conveniently sifted and handled to effect a separation of the cinders and the dust without permitting the latter to escape.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sifter which will be self-dumpin g and from which the cinders after the operation of sifting has been completed may be readily discharged into a coal-scuttle or other receptacle.

The. invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ash-sifter constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the combined supporting-frame and cover.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawlugs.

1 designates an ash-sifter of polygonal form composed of vertical sides 2, vertical ends 8, an oppositely-inclined top, and a bottom composed of inwardly-inclined portions 4 and a horizontal door 5, the inwardly-inclined portions forming a chute and adapted to discharge the dust from the sifter when the bottom door 5 is opened. The bottom door 5 is hinged at one end at 6, and its other end 7 is bent at an angle to provide a lip, which overlaps the adjacent inclined portion 4 and is engaged by a pivoted button 8 or other suitable fastening device for holding the door closed. The ash-sifter is provided at its top with a hinged door 9 for the introduction of ashes, said door 9 being hinged at its inner end at 10 and being provided at its outer end with a fastening device 11, consisting of a hook and eye or the like.

Within the sifter is arranged a horizontal sieve 12, supported upon horizontal strips or cleats 13 and located directly above the oppositely-inclining bottom portions 4. The side edges of the sieve are bent upward to form flanges 14, which are detachably secured to the side walls of the sifter by staples 15 or other suitable fastening devices arranged at intervals and adapted to be readily withdrawn should it be necessary to provide the sifter with a new screen or sieve. By this construction the sieve or screen may be renewed without discarding the entire sifter.

At one end of the sifter is arranged a downwardly-swinging door 16, hinged at its lower edge at 17 and secured in a closed position by a pivoted button 18 or other suitable fastening device. This door 16 is adapted to be swung downward to enable the cinders to be readily discharged from the sifter after the operation of sifting has been completed. The horizontal sieve or screen is arranged in the same plane as the bottom of the opening of the door 16,.and the cinders will be readily discharged by tilting the sifter to bring the sieve or screen into an inclined position.

The sifter, which is provided at opposite sides with handles 19, is adapted to be rocked to agitate its contents, and it has rockers 20, secured to the outer faces of the sides 2, near the bottom thereof, and resting upon longitudinal cleats 21 of a combined cover and supportingframe 22, which is provided with a central rectangular opening 23 for the reception of the lower tapered portion of the sifter. The supporting-frame or cover, which is circular, is adapted to be placed upon a box, can, or barrel and is provided at its lower face with curved bars 24, adapted to form a seat for a barrel or can to prevent the cover or frame from slipping while the sifter is being operated.

During the operation of sitting the sifter is entirely closed, so that there is no liability of any dust escaping and annoying the operator, and after the operation of sifting has been completed the bottom door 5 is opened by simply disengaging the fastening device 8, and simultaneously with this operation a slide 25 is moved inward against the siftcr to close the opening 23 and prevent any of the dust from escaping while it is being discharged from the sifter into the barrel or can. After the dust has settled the cinders can be readily removed. The slide 25, which is arranged at the front end of the sifter, adjacent to the fastening device 8, has oppositely-beveled edges 26, which engage correspondingly-beveled inner edges of the strips or cleats 21. The strips or cleats 21 form guides or ways for the slide 25, which is provided with a suitable knob or handle to enable it to be readily moved inward and outward.

The invention has the following advantages: The sifter, which is simple and inexpensive in construction, is strong and durable and adapted to be readily operated in connection with a barrel, can, box, or other receptacle, and it is capable of separating the cinders and the dust without permitting any of the latter to escape. The sifter is selfdumping, and the dust will be discharged from it as soon as the fastening device 8 is disengaged from the door, and the slide and the sifter cover the opening of the combined supporting-frame and cover and prevent the escape of dust at that point. The sifter is easily operated, it reduces the labor of sifting ashes to a minimum, and it is far superior to an ordinary hand-sitter.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

What is claimed is 1. A device of the class described comprising a combined supporting-frame and cover provided with an opening and designed to be arranged on a barrel or other receptacle, and a sifter extending into the said opening and provided at opposite sides with exterior rockers supported upon the frame or cover and adapted to permit the sifter to be oscillated thereon, substantially as described.

2. A device of the class describedcomprising a supporting-frame forming a .cover and designed to be arranged on a barrel or other receptacle and provided with an opening, strips mounted upon the supporting-frame at opposite sides of the opening and forming ways, a slide arranged in the ways and adapted to cover the opening partially, and a sitter provided with exterior rockers arranged on the said strips, said sitter extending into the opening and covering a portion of the same, substantially as described.

3. A device of the class described comprising a combined supporting-frame and cover designed to be arranged on a barrel or other receptacle, and provided with'an opening, a sitter extending into the said opening and provided at opposite sides with exterior rockers, supported upon the frame or cover and adapted to permit the sifter to be operated thereon, and a slide mounted on the combined frame and cover and adapted to cooperate with the sifter to cover the said opening, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. A device of the class described comprising a supporting-frame provided with an opening and forming a cover designed to be placed on a barrel or other receptacle, a sitter ot' polygonal form extending into the open ing and provided at opposite sides with rockers and having an oppositely-inclined lower portion forming a chute, said sifter being provided at its top with a door for the introduction of ashes, a bottom doorhinged to one of the inclined portions and secured detachably to the other, and a slide mounted on the supporting-frame and located adjacent to the;

free end of the bottom door, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK SPAIVN.

Witnesses:

FRED. W. WILSON, GEORGE A. ARBUCKLE. 

